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| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| aj94 |
Posted - 06/23/2015 : 13:07:41
Why would any one pay a fee to attend a tryout for a team that you have to pay to play for? MAYBE with the exception of a HS age team that has field expenses related to the tryout, I don't get it.
Or MAYBE even a upper level team that wants to weed out the non serious ball players....but some of these teams charging this supposed tryout fee are lower level teams..... |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| jaguars18 |
Posted - 08/21/2015 : 08:03:42
There is another thread related to this but one program had 30 plus kids, made $2500 dollars MINIMUM and said they did not have the kids to make a team. There were good players too i would say most were high AA to low major |
| bbsis |
Posted - 08/12/2015 : 21:41:17
upfront at most of our tryouts they say if you do not receive a call within 2-3 days, you are free to call them. worth a call in case your son is still in the running (i.e., those offered spots within the first day or 2 reject them after taking a day or 2 to consider). some of the organizations say they will give you feedback if not offered a spot but not sure how much weight to attribute to such feedback which is in all likelihood the same party line for most players (your son looked good but overwhelming amount of talent showed up at the tryout (because EVERYONE wants to play for us), we only needed a few players, etc.)
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| CaCO3Girl |
Posted - 08/12/2015 : 09:43:34
quote:
Originally posted by Bobcat Brian
I am coming late on the discussion, but have a quick story to add. We did pay the tryout fee to go to assessments, and we never even got a call back from the organization. That was 5 days ago. Looks like they got what they needed from me!
If it is the place I am thinking of...if you call over there someone will call you back with feedback. |
| Bobcat Brian |
Posted - 08/11/2015 : 15:22:41
I am coming late on the discussion, but have a quick story to add. We did pay the tryout fee to go to assessments, and we never even got a call back from the organization. That was 5 days ago. Looks like they got what they needed from me! |
| bfriendly |
Posted - 07/31/2015 : 21:28:43
quote:
Originally posted by dad4kids
Maybe the people with a gripe should mobilize and turn tables and organize their own player tryouts. You could post invites for the coaches that want to attend and even charge them a fee. Use the hot mom or two to get them there. Of course, then they'd have to secure the fields, run the tryouts, throw 195 pitches in the hot sun, and deal with the administrative and organizational nightmare. After doing that one time, I'm betting they'd happily pay someone else to handle it in the future.
Agreeing with this^^^^^^^cept some may do it just because they want to and can.
tryouts, workouts, private, open, official whatever you want to call it, they dont just happen. There are some planning and organization that must take place to Make it happen.
Fees or not, it is up to the organization or coaches. Time is also money and NOTHING IS FREE. I can see that some may be using this as a preseason Fundraiser just as much as others may only be using this to cover Costs for facilities etc.....I have no problem with either so long as they are not lying to you when you ask how many spots are available, etc...
We only paid for one open workout/tryout and even though we did not expect much of a chance to make the team, we wanted the "Experience" and it turned out to be worth every penny! If I had unlimited funds, I may have signed him up for every workout that was available.
On the flip side though, we decided on a team this past week and while I thought about taking him to another workout that was free(rain shortened previously). It would have been an AWESOME workout, but since we decided on a team, it just didn't seem right to go......but we could have.
Like others have said, its up to you to make your own decisions. Make them wisely and remember there are no guarantees so do your own research. |
| luv4baseball |
Posted - 07/31/2015 : 18:11:31
There's no reason to pay a fee to tryout. We at ERA Baseball (give2era@gmail.com) do not charge to take a look at your child just to see what level they're on as a player. quote:
Originally posted by aj94
Why would any one pay a fee to attend a tryout for a team that you have to pay to play for? MAYBE with the exception of a HS age team that has field expenses related to the tryout, I don't get it.
Or MAYBE even a upper level team that wants to weed out the non serious ball players....but some of these teams charging this supposed tryout fee are lower level teams.....
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| dad4kids |
Posted - 07/24/2015 : 16:36:30
Well, since Wills Park is located next to a Ferrari/Maseratti dealership and equestrian park, I don't think anyone was using the change from between the couch cushions to pay! |
| jaguars18 |
Posted - 07/24/2015 : 14:49:11
bombers had between 75 and 100 tryout at 13u alone i think. That is 6k to 7k for one day or 3 hours |
| bearkat |
Posted - 07/24/2015 : 13:56:40
quote:
Originally posted by aj94
quote:
Originally posted by bearkat
Below are just some of the tryout fees for the 15U age group.
S Forsyth Giants: $35
DP Jayhawks: $40
Titans: $50
Team Elite: $50
Nelson: $50
Barrett: $50
GA Jackets: $75
GA Bombers: $75
643: $90
Team GA: $100
ECB: $110
How is a kid that comes from a family without unlimited funds expected to find a situation that is good for them? Very sad, especially when some of these organizations are only looking for a couple players.
Ummmm who are the GA Bombers?????
http://www.nwgabaseball.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=46779 |
| teddy41 |
Posted - 07/23/2015 : 16:00:54
Girl is right on this one..always ask what spots are open and if a team had a good season and is losing half the team ask why. Also find out exactly where practices are. Last year we would be shifted from one county or field to another every week.#traffic matters |
| CaCO3Girl |
Posted - 07/23/2015 : 15:29:18
quote:
Originally posted by in_the_know
What's with all the animosity over this "pre-tryout" anyway?!?
Who believes for a minute that a good player isn't "pre-trying" out all season? The kids on academy teams are being seen by the coaches daily. The kids playing against the academy teams are being seen by them throughout the season. You don't think a kid who goes 4 for 4 banging lasers off walls isn't remembered if he shows up at a tryout for that team that summer/fall? A lot of these pre-tryouts are simply because of schedules. Nothing clandestine or immoral about it. So what if the coaches see a player three days before the general population takes the field. You really think they wouldn't take the kid if he shows up on Wednesday instead of the previous Monday?
Also, does anyone believe for a minute that a team starts every season with an absolute zero slate of returning players in their mind? No chance.
So places charge for the time, effort and expenses of hosting their tryouts as a means of generating some revenue and keeping the posers out. So what!
If you feel it's a sham and they're doing it to grab your money and there are really no open slots available, then do your homework and don't go.
And for those of you who feel that it's keeping the poor and needy from reaching the MLB, boo flipping hoo. My kids have no shot at being the next NHL star because I can't afford to put them on the ice. Are they entitled to it? No. No more than they're entitled to a country club membership so they can pursue a PGA career.
If someone charges $50-$100 for a tryout you have a choice to participate or not. Make your choice and move on. If a team hosts a paid tryout and no one shows, then they'll lower the price, quit charging, or not have a team.
Pre-tryout, secret tryout, official tryout, double secret tryout.....it's all the same, the teams are trying to get the best players. If you want your kid to play for a particular team, and that team has paid tryouts and you aren't willing to pay, then your kid won't play for that team. That's your choice, not the team's. If you honestly can't afford to pay for the tryout (and if you can't, you probably can't afford travel ball), then approach the coach/academy and explain your situation. If they deny your kid the opportunity, I'd be amazed. If that has happened, post it here and then I will support a legitimate gripe.
My guess is that most everyone griping here is doing OK. At the very least, you have internet access and a computing device with which to complain.
I think the thread took a bit of a twist from what it started out as, which was a thread to complain about the cost of tryouts.
It spun (I probably did it) to a buyer be ware concept...just because you pay the $100 to tryout don't be fooled into thinking there are open spots on every team.
MANY of the academy programs have several returning players, and every one of them is required to go to the "official" tryout and pay their $50, $90, $110...as are any children that made the team during the pre-tryouts. there is NOTHING wrong with having a pre-tryout, it's not immoral, or corrupted in any way. I just feel bad for the kid that walks onto the field ready to show his stuff because he really wants to make team X...but team X filled all of their spots 3 weeks ago at the pre-tryout.
It's a buyer beware cautionary tale, not a steadfast rule. This board is for advice, so I figured I would share my own personal experience because I sat at the ECB "open tryouts" last year and watched my son "tryout" for the team he was told he made a month ago, while talking to multiple parents across multiple teams and not a single person there (that I talked to) was guessing about IF their kid would be on a team, they all already were. |
| rippit |
Posted - 07/23/2015 : 12:22:46
...sounds a LOT like the way it goes during college recruiting as well. I'll expand on that later.
quote:
Originally posted by bballman
quote:
Originally posted by dad4kids
We went into it cold (no prior attempts to contact the coach for a private workout or to convey my son's abilities or history); just decided to see if he was wanted based on his performance and abilities. He was recognized during the tryout (based upon questions and comments from those running it) and got an offer.
Sounds like dad4kids did not have a "pre-workout" or "pre-tryout". Even if the organization did do pre-workouts, dad4kids wasn't involved. If the player is good enough, they will get picked up - providing the player fills a need that the team has.
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| dad4kids |
Posted - 07/23/2015 : 11:59:02
quote:
Originally posted by aj94
quote:
Originally posted by dad4kids
No, they did not have any advertised or known pre-tryout workouts. I wasn't responding to your posts, cacochick, but to the suggestion that the offical tryouts are always somehow rigged (both in this thread and others I've read in the past). Our experience is admittedly anecdotal but I thought it worth reporting at least one positive wave in the sea of negativity.
Did I miss a comment in the thread? I don't recall anyone saying that "official tryouts are somehow rigged"....and funny I did not know people expressing their experiences is a "sea of negativity".
Good for you and your son, and don't forget to report back to us next summer to let us know how the team is performing.
You're right. They were called a "sham" not rigged. My bad. |
| dad4kids |
Posted - 07/23/2015 : 11:56:57
Maybe the people with a gripe should mobilize and turn tables and organize their own player tryouts. You could post invites for the coaches that want to attend and even charge them a fee. Use the hot mom or two to get them there. Of course, then they'd have to secure the fields, run the tryouts, throw 195 pitches in the hot sun, and deal with the administrative and organizational nightmare. After doing that one time, I'm betting they'd happily pay someone else to handle it in the future. |
| in_the_know |
Posted - 07/23/2015 : 10:36:19
What's with all the animosity over this "pre-tryout" anyway?!?
Who believes for a minute that a good player isn't "pre-trying" out all season? The kids on academy teams are being seen by the coaches daily. The kids playing against the academy teams are being seen by them throughout the season. You don't think a kid who goes 4 for 4 banging lasers off walls isn't remembered if he shows up at a tryout for that team that summer/fall? A lot of these pre-tryouts are simply because of schedules. Nothing clandestine or immoral about it. So what if the coaches see a player three days before the general population takes the field. You really think they wouldn't take the kid if he shows up on Wednesday instead of the previous Monday?
Also, does anyone believe for a minute that a team starts every season with an absolute zero slate of returning players in their mind? No chance.
So places charge for the time, effort and expenses of hosting their tryouts as a means of generating some revenue and keeping the posers out. So what!
If you feel it's a sham and they're doing it to grab your money and there are really no open slots available, then do your homework and don't go.
And for those of you who feel that it's keeping the poor and needy from reaching the MLB, boo flipping hoo. My kids have no shot at being the next NHL star because I can't afford to put them on the ice. Are they entitled to it? No. No more than they're entitled to a country club membership so they can pursue a PGA career.
If someone charges $50-$100 for a tryout you have a choice to participate or not. Make your choice and move on. If a team hosts a paid tryout and no one shows, then they'll lower the price, quit charging, or not have a team.
Pre-tryout, secret tryout, official tryout, double secret tryout.....it's all the same, the teams are trying to get the best players. If you want your kid to play for a particular team, and that team has paid tryouts and you aren't willing to pay, then your kid won't play for that team. That's your choice, not the team's. If you honestly can't afford to pay for the tryout (and if you can't, you probably can't afford travel ball), then approach the coach/academy and explain your situation. If they deny your kid the opportunity, I'd be amazed. If that has happened, post it here and then I will support a legitimate gripe.
My guess is that most everyone griping here is doing OK. At the very least, you have internet access and a computing device with which to complain. |
| CaCO3Girl |
Posted - 07/23/2015 : 08:37:25
quote:
Originally posted by dad4kids
No, they did not have any advertised or known pre-tryout workouts. I wasn't responding to your posts, cacochick, but to the suggestion that the offical tryouts are always somehow rigged (both in this thread and others I've read in the past). Our experience is admittedly anecdotal but I thought it worth reporting at least one positive wave in the sea of negativity.
Thanks for coming back on this dad4kids. I have heard of kids making high level academy teams (9u-17u) based on what they did at the official tryouts, but only in cases like yours where there was no pre-tryout.
For anyone who wants to play for a team that has a pre-tryout I would encourage them to attend that pre-tryout because I have also heard several stories of the "official" tryouts being a sham because the team was picked from the pre-tryout. |
| aj94 |
Posted - 07/23/2015 : 07:19:48
quote:
Originally posted by dad4kids
No, they did not have any advertised or known pre-tryout workouts. I wasn't responding to your posts, cacochick, but to the suggestion that the offical tryouts are always somehow rigged (both in this thread and others I've read in the past). Our experience is admittedly anecdotal but I thought it worth reporting at least one positive wave in the sea of negativity.
Did I miss a comment in the thread? I don't recall anyone saying that "official tryouts are somehow rigged"....and funny I did not know people expressing their experiences is a "sea of negativity".
Good for you and your son, and don't forget to report back to us next summer to let us know how the team is performing. |
| dad4kids |
Posted - 07/22/2015 : 16:32:40
No, they did not have any advertised or known pre-tryout workouts. I wasn't responding to your posts, cacochick, but to the suggestion that the offical tryouts are always somehow rigged (both in this thread and others I've read in the past). Our experience is admittedly anecdotal but I thought it worth reporting at least one positive wave in the sea of negativity. |
| CaCO3Girl |
Posted - 07/22/2015 : 16:15:33
quote:
Originally posted by bballman
quote:
Originally posted by dad4kids
We went into it cold (no prior attempts to contact the coach for a private workout or to convey my son's abilities or history); just decided to see if he was wanted based on his performance and abilities. He was recognized during the tryout (based upon questions and comments from those running it) and got an offer.
Sounds like dad4kids did not have a "pre-workout" or "pre-tryout". Even if the organization did do pre-workouts, dad4kids wasn't involved. If the player is good enough, they will get picked up - providing the player fills a need that the team has.
That's kind of my point bballman. I'm all for a kid making a team on talent alone based on what he does at the tryout. I'm just trying to enlighten people that sometimes, not always, but sometimes teams go through the motions of attending the official tryout, but they already have their entire team picked. Kind of stinks to be that kid who wanted to be on team X but didn't know the team had a pre-workout and the team was full by the time they got to the official tryout.
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| bballman |
Posted - 07/22/2015 : 15:30:48
quote:
Originally posted by dad4kids
We went into it cold (no prior attempts to contact the coach for a private workout or to convey my son's abilities or history); just decided to see if he was wanted based on his performance and abilities. He was recognized during the tryout (based upon questions and comments from those running it) and got an offer.
Sounds like dad4kids did not have a "pre-workout" or "pre-tryout". Even if the organization did do pre-workouts, dad4kids wasn't involved. If the player is good enough, they will get picked up - providing the player fills a need that the team has. |
| CaCO3Girl |
Posted - 07/22/2015 : 14:39:42
quote:
Originally posted by dad4kids
Thought I'd share our positive experience with a paid tryout in contrast to all these conspiracy theories and negative reports. After two years without trying out, my son attended a tryout with one of these organizations based on its positive reports on NWBA and elsewhere. We went into it cold (no prior attempts to contact the coach for a private workout or to convey my son's abilities or history); just decided to see if he was wanted based on his performance and abilities. He was recognized during the tryout (based upon questions and comments from those running it) and got an offer.
So, at least this tryout with this organization, it worked the way it was supposed to and as advertised, i.e., the team wasn't already formed based upon pre-tryout workouts or back room deals; a kid could show up, do well, and make the team cold based on performance at the tryout. I also believe the fee was necessary and appropraite to (a) pay for the field and non-dad professionals running the tryout and (b) narrow the field to a reasonable number by ensuring attendees had a serious interest in joining the team. There were 40-50 kids there for one age group. I'd hate to think how many would have been there if it were free.
Dad4kids, it's great that you had a good experience....BUT...I have to ask for clarification. This organization...did they have a PRE-tryout to the official tryout? For example, the ECB teams are blowing up the boards with unofficial "workouts", while Titans and 643 have only posted information about their "official" tryouts.
The previous comments I have made about the team being formed prior to the "official" tryouts were in relationship to teams holding "unofficial" workouts prior to the official tryout. Did this organization have a pre-tryout? |
| dad4kids |
Posted - 07/22/2015 : 11:11:46
Thought I'd share our positive experience with a paid tryout in contrast to all these conspiracy theories and negative reports. After two years without trying out, my son attended a tryout with one of these organizations based on its positive reports on NWBA and elsewhere. We went into it cold (no prior attempts to contact the coach for a private workout or to convey my son's abilities or history); just decided to see if he was wanted based on his performance and abilities. He was recognized during the tryout (based upon questions and comments from those running it) and got an offer.
So, at least this tryout with this organization, it worked the way it was supposed to and as advertised, i.e., the team wasn't already formed based upon pre-tryout workouts or back room deals; a kid could show up, do well, and make the team cold based on performance at the tryout. I also believe the fee was necessary and appropraite to (a) pay for the field and non-dad professionals running the tryout and (b) narrow the field to a reasonable number by ensuring attendees had a serious interest in joining the team. There were 40-50 kids there for one age group. I'd hate to think how many would have been there if it were free. |
| aj94 |
Posted - 07/22/2015 : 07:13:40
quote:
Originally posted by bearkat
Below are just some of the tryout fees for the 15U age group.
S Forsyth Giants: $35
DP Jayhawks: $40
Titans: $50
Team Elite: $50
Nelson: $50
Barrett: $50
GA Jackets: $75
GA Bombers: $75
643: $90
Team GA: $100
ECB: $110
How is a kid that comes from a family without unlimited funds expected to find a situation that is good for them? Very sad, especially when some of these organizations are only looking for a couple players.
Ummmm who are the GA Bombers????? |
| turntwo |
Posted - 07/21/2015 : 09:10:46
I don't know of many teams (whether completely independent or part of an academy) that do NOT hold 'team specific' tryouts... Private, individual, or full-blown tryouts that are FREE (outside of the organization). Sure you get the 'cattle call' tryouts, the Organization holds that, after paying the academy instructors to run the tryout, are nothing more than a money maker... But look around at said cattle call. How are the fields? Nice? What about the indoor facility? Nice? (Don't go the the bathrooms, or worry about the scoreboard lights). And true, you may only be trying out for 1 of 4-10 slots based on the number of teams at your age group and how many they picked up in their private workouts. Hence the reason to find a team BEFORE the cattle call-- which is free. Now if you make the team, the 'tryout fee' still needs to be paid to the organization, but that typically would be included in your 'dues' for the team. |
| ballsandbats |
Posted - 07/21/2015 : 09:09:31
bballman speaks truths!
quote:
Originally posted by bballman
quote:
Originally posted by Renegade44
bballman,
You are a long way out of travelball with a college senior.
Travelball today isn't what is was when you were active.
Its not what it was when we started.
It has morphed into some gigantic money grab and weird social contest to keep up with your neighbors kid.
I'm not THAT far out. And I keep up with the local landscape. I'm sure things aren't exactly the same, but they are pretty similar. As far as the weird social contest thing, that is something that is a personal flaw of the people involved. That has been around always. When we played rec ball, it was around. When we played travel, it was around. We never got involved in the ECB thing because we saw people with that kind of attitude and did not want to be a part of it. We'd see kids get cut from our local rec travel team show up to our games proudly displaying their ECB hats and T-shirts, only to find out they played on the worst team in the age group - but it was EC, so they must be good, right?
Not saying it doesn't happen or didn't happen when we were playing travel. I'm saying, you don't have to buy into it. It's not the system, it's the people in the system. I get scam emails and phone calls all the time. Doesn't mean I have to fall for the scam. There are appropriate avenues for all to take in the baseball world. Parents just need to be realistic about the talent level of their sons and which options are the best for THEM to follow. Don't allow yourself to be a victim. It's only the system's fault if you allow it to be.
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